Reading, Drinking, Reading, Napping…Reading

Fillet of Murder by Linda Reilly

This is a new author and a new series for me, A Deep Fried Mystery. Talia Marby has returned home to nurse her broken heart and to look for a new job after leaving one that made her miserable. In the meantime, she is working at the fish and chip shop she worked at in high school and living in her Nana’s bungalow while trying to sell it.

The fish and chip shop is part of a strip of shops, which like most small independent businesses straddle the line of financial solvency . The possible opening of new shop in their midst has the shop owners in a tizzy with battle lines drawn resulting in the death of one of them. Talia finds herself drawn into the investigation in an attempt to clear her friend’s name.

Talia’s back story is well done here and interesting. The setting of the fish and chip shop is fun and engaging. The whole cast of background and what I assume will be recurring characters are interesting and colorful adding depth to the story. The mystery has several suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. Talia as a sleuth is relatable and intelligent. Fillet of Murder is a really good first in a cozy mystery series.